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These fresh Bloody Mary’s are the brunch cocktail you need in your life! Skip the store-bought mix and whip up a better, much more delicious Bloody Mary in minutes.
Easy Bloody Mary Cocktails
Bloody Marys might not be everyone’s drink, but for those of us who love them, there’s nothing better. I still remember the first time I tried one. I was underage at Mardi Gras in New Orleans… ah, college days.
This easy Bloody Mary recipe is fresh and perfectly spicy, made with tomato juice, vodka, and classic savory seasonings.
These festive cocktails are a brunch classic, especially when served with a chili-salt rim and plenty of garnishes like celery, olives, pickles, or fresh veggies and eggs Benedict on the side. This recipe makes a pitcher, so it’s perfect for brunch with friends, but it’s also easy to mix up whenever you’re craving a spicy cocktail.
Why Are They Called Bloody Mary’s?
There are a couple of theories as to why and how Bloody Mary cocktails got their name, but many people think the drink dates back to Queen Mary I. Known for executing Protestants by means of fire during her rule of England, the vodka is said to represent the flames while the tomato juice symbolizes spilled blood.
What You’ll Need
To make the ultimate Bloody Marys from scratch, gather the following ingredients:
- Tomato Juice: You’ll need 3 cups.
- Vodka: High quality.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This adds some nice umami flavor.
- Dill Pickle Juice: Fresh from a jar of pickles.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed is best.
- Lime Juice: To supplement the lemon juice.
- Hot Sauce: Just a couple teaspoons.
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground.
- Ice: If you’d like, make ice cubes with pickle juice instead of water. This prevents your drinks from ever getting watery.
- Garnishes: Celery sticks, pickles, lemon slices, etc.
- Kosher Salt & Chili Powder: To garnish the rims of the glasses.
How to Make a Bloody Mary
- Combine Ingredients: In a pitcher, stir together the tomato juice, vodka, worcestershire sauce, pickle juice, lemon juice, lime juice, hot sauce and black pepper.
- Garnish Rims: On a small plate, mix together the kosher salt and chili powder. Run a lemon or lime wedge around the rims of the drinking glasses, then dip each glass into the salt-chili mixture.
- Pour & Serve: Divide the ice cubes among the glasses and fill with the bloody Mary mixture. Garnish with celery. Put a pickle and a lime wedge on a small skewer, if desired, and add it to the glasses as a garnish.
Recipe Tips for Success
- Use high-quality ingredients: Even though this recipe is the gold standard for Bloody Marys, your drink won’t taste as good with 5-dollar vodka. The highest-quality ingredients make for the highest-quality drink.
- Chill the glasses: Frost your drinking glasses. Just pop them in the freezer for about 30 minutes before pouring and serving your drinks.
- Other garnishes: Try some fresh dill, parsley, red pepper flakes, cheddar jack cheese, pickled veggies, or even grilled shrimp and cheeseburger sliders!
- Adjust to taste: Use more hot sauce, skip the chili powder and salt rim, add additional seasonings, or make any other changes you see fit. You can always taste and adjust the final product.
What to serve with a Bloody Mary Cocktail
- Pretzel Bites: Homemade Bloody Marys go so well with soft pretzel bites! They’re warm, buttery, and they practically melt in your mouth.
- Buffalo Dip: You’ve entered true comfort food territory once you’ve tried this Buffalo chicken dip. It’s easy to throw together, slathered on crackers or raw veggies, and paired with a boozy cocktail!
- Crab Cakes: These crispy Maryland-style crab cakes are flavorful and easy to make. The only thing that could make them better is a Bloody Mary to wash them down!
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Bloody Mary
Ingredients
- 3 cups tomato juice
- 8 ounces good quality vodka
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons dill pickle juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce, or to taste, optional
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ice, or frozen pickle juice ice cubes
- celery sticks, for serving
- pickles, for serving
- lemon slices, for serving
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, for rim
- 1 teaspoon chili powder, for rim
Instructions
- In a pitcher, stir together the tomato juice, vodka, worcestershire sauce, pickle juice, lemon juice, lime juice, hot sauce and black pepper.
- Taste and adjust accordingly.
- On a small plate, mix together the kosher salt and chili powder. Run a lemon or lime wedge around the rims of the drinking glasses. Dip the glasses in the salt-chili mixture.
- Divide the ice cubes among the glasses and fill with the bloody Mary mixture.
- Garnish with celery. Put a pickle and a lime wedge on a small skewer, if desired, and add to the glasses as a garnish.
- Serve.
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
The best bloody Mary I’ve ever had. Passing the recipe on to others that love a great Bloody Mary.
One of my favorite cocktails and this recipe is the best. I made these the last weekend and now I am on a diet so it will be a few weeks before I can partake of any cocktails.
I’m very happy you loved it! Thank you so much! 🙂
These Bloody Mary would disappear in our house!
I hope you’ll enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Who needs a bar when you can whip one of these up at home!
I hope you’ll enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
This is so good! Really the best bloody mary!
Thank you so much! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
This is such a popular drink! Love the bright color! I’ll have to make a mocktail, if there’s a way!
I hope you’ll enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Honestly…one of my favorite parts of this drink is munching on the celery! Thanks for this easy cocktail beverage recipe!
I’m very happy you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂